Package assembly enclosing a plurality of communication connector jacks and method of use

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the invention relate to a package assembly for enclosing a plurality of communication connector jacks (e.g., a plurality of electrical connector jacks) in an enclosure from which the communication connector jacks can be easily removed. In an embodiment, a package assembly includes an enclosure defining a plurality of compartments and a plurality of communication connector jacks. Each communication connector jack may be positioned in a corresponding one of the compartments.

BACKGROUND

A modular communication connector jack is a receptacle that accepts a communication plug. Common communication connector jacks include Category 5, 5e, 6, or 6a electrical connector jacks that are configured to accept a communication plug, such as a voice/data/video plug. For example, such communication connector jacks may be configured to accept a communication plug from a communication cable, such as an Ethernet cable. Typically, such communication connector jacks are used to electrically interconnect telecommunication equipment.

Communication connector jacks of this type typically include an electrically insulating housing that supports a plurality of electrical terminals at which electrical conductors of a multi-conductor cable are terminated. For example, many commercially available communication connector jacks employ insulation displacement contacts (“IDCs”), and each electrical conductor may be terminated at one of the IDCs using a specially designed termination tool.

During construction of a building, an installer may have to install several hundred communication connector jacks in a typical workday. Typically, such communication connector jacks are inconveniently individually packaged in plastic bags. The individual communication connector jacks are removed and, for instance, in the case of electrical connector jacks, electrical conductors are terminated at electrical terminals.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention relate to a package assembly that encloses and protects a plurality of communication connector jacks (e.g., a plurality of electrical connector jacks) in an enclosure from which the communication connector jacks can be easily removed. In an embodiment, a package assembly includes an enclosure defining a plurality of compartments and a plurality of communication connector jacks. Each communication connector jack may be positioned in a corresponding one of the compartments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of an embodiment of a package assembly.

FIG. 2 is a back isometric view of the package assembly shown in FIG. 1, with a portion of the backing pealed away to reveal a portion of the communication connector jacks and recesses.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the package assembly shown in FIG. 1 including perforation lines dividing the enclosure into enclosure sections according to another embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a backside plan view of the enclosure shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 according to another embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a package assembly including an optional attachment device and holder having an extendable/retractable line.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a package assembly including a coiled strip formed of interconnected enclosure sections each of which encloses a corresponding communication connector jack.

FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the package assembly shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a package assembly including a coiled strip formed of interconnected enclosure sections.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a package assembly having a clam-shell type enclosure configuration.

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a package assembly having a clam-shell type enclosure configuration, with first and second shell members in an open configuration.

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the package assembly shown in FIG. 10 in a closed configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention relate to a package assembly that encloses and protects a plurality of communication connector jacks (e.g., a plurality of electrical connector jacks) in an enclosure from which the communication connector jacks can be easily removed. FIGS. 1 and 2 are front and back isometric views, respectively, of a package assembly 100 according to one embodiment. The package assembly 100 may include an optional housing 102 (e.g., a generally rectangular cardboard box) and an enclosure 104 configured to be received by the housing 102. The enclosure 104 includes a blister member 106 having a plurality of recesses 108 (FIG. 2) formed therein, each of which receives a corresponding communication connector jack 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the recesses 108 may be arranged in rows and columns. However, it is noted that the recesses 108 may be distributed in any suitable arrangement.

In some embodiments, each communication connector jack 110 may be an electrical connector jack (e.g., a Category 5, 5e, 6, or 6a electrical connector jack) that is configured to accept a communication plug (e.g., a voice/data/video plug). Such electrical connector jacks typically include an electrically insulating housing having a recess configured to receive an electrical plug therein, electrical contact tines extending within the recess that are respectively positioned and configured to contact corresponding electrical contacts on the electrical plug, and IDCs supported by the electrically insulating housing that are electrically coupled to the electrical contact tines. Referring to FIG. 2, in the illustrated embodiment, the communication connector jack 110 is configured as an electrical connector jack having a removable stuffer cap 113 mounted thereto configured to protect the IDCs of the electrical connector jack. In other embodiments, the stuffer cap 113 may be omitted. In another embodiment, each communication connector jack 110 may be configured as an optical connector or any other type of connector for transmission of signals, such as voice, data, audio, or video signals.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the enclosure 104 includes a backing 112 that is attached to portions of the blister member 106 between the recesses 108 to cover the communication connector jacks 110. The backing 112 closes each recess 108 defined by the blister member 106 to form a plurality of compartments 111, with each compartment 111 including a corresponding one of the recesses 108. The backing 112 and blister member 106 cooperate with each other to retain each communication connector jack 110 within a corresponding one of the compartments 111.

In an embodiment, each compartment 111 is dimensioned relative to the communication connector jack 110 located therein so that the communication connector jack 110 is maintained in a selected orientation. In such an embodiment, movement of the communication connector jack 110 from the selected orientation may be inhibited due to physical interference with portions of the blister member 106 and backing 112 defining the compartment 111. For example, each communication connector jack 110 may be oriented with the same selected orientation, and the compartments 111 (FIG. 2) may be configured to inhibit movement of the communication connector jacks 110 from the selected orientation.

In an embodiment, the blister member 106 may be made from a polymeric material (e.g., polyvinyl carbonate (“PVC”), polyethylene, or another suitable material) and the recesses 108 may be thermoformed, cold formed or molded, or manufactured by any other suitable method, with the backing 112 glued to portions of the blister member 106 between the recesses 108. For example, the blister member 106 may be formed from a substantially transparent polymeric material so that a user can see the color of the communication connector jacks 110 therethrough, which may be indicative of the configuration of the communication connector jacks 110. In one embodiment, the backing 112 may be a foil backing comprising a thin, breakable aluminum foil that is glued to the blister member 106. In another embodiment, the backing 112 may be a blister card comprising cardboard that is glued to the blister member 106.

During use, a user (e.g., an installer) may manually press a selected communication connector jack 110 to thereby break the backing 112 and urge the selected communication connector jack 110 through the backing 112 and out of the corresponding compartment 111. In an embodiment, when the backing 112 is a foil backing, the user may puncture the foil backing and urge the selected communication connector jack 110 through the punctured foil backing. In another embodiment, when the backing 112 is a blister card, a portion of the blister card adjacent to the selected communication connector jack 110 may be severed along perforations and the selected communication connector jack 110 may be urged through the opening in the blister card. Then, the user may easily remove the selected communication connector jack 110 from the enclosure 104 and install the selected communication connector jack 110 in, for example, a patch panel, face plate, ceiling enclosure, floor box, or other application. It is noted that when each communication connector jack 110 is oriented with the same selected orientation, the orientation of the communication connector jack 110 removed from the enclosure 104 may consistently be in substantially the same orientation. Such an embodiment may help the user properly install the removed communication connector jacks 110.

Referring to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the housing 102, the enclosure 104, or both may include one or more visible identifiers positioned on an exterior surface thereof that indicates the number of communication connector jacks 110 in the enclosure 104, the configuration of the communication connector jacks 110, or both. For example, in the illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 1, at least one visible identifier 115 may be positioned on an exterior surface 117 of the housing 102. For example, the at least one visible identifier 115 may be a number that indicates the number of communication connector jacks 110 or the number of communication connector jacks 110 may be expressed using one or more written words (e.g., “twelve”).

Referring to the top plan view of the enclosure 104 shown in FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the enclosure 104 includes respective perforation lines 114 between adjacent rows 116 of the recesses 108 (not shown) and respective perforation lines 118 between adjacent columns 120 of the recesses 108. In the illustrated embodiment, the perforation lines 114 and 118 divide the enclosure 104 into a plurality of smaller enclosure sections 300 that form the larger enclosure 104. Each enclosure section 300 of the larger enclosure 104 includes a single one of the recesses 108/compartments 111 with a corresponding communication connector jack 110 positioned therein. However, in another embodiment, the perforation lines 114 may be omitted, and the perforation lines 118 may divide the enclosure 104 into a plurality of enclosure sections each of which includes a plurality of the recesses 108/compartments 111. The perforations of the perforation lines 114 and/or 118 may extend through the blister member 106 and backing 112 so that a user may easily manually tear or otherwise remove one or more of the enclosure sections 300 from the enclosure 104.

FIG. 4 is a backside plan view of the enclosure 104 according to another embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 4, externally visible sequential numerals 1-25 are positioned on a back surface 400 of the backing 112 of the enclosure 104. It is noted that the enclosure 104 may include more or less than twenty-five compartments 111 (not shown). Each numeral 1-25 may be applied to a corresponding portion the back surface 400 adjacent to a corresponding one of communication connector jacks 110. For example, each numeral 1-25 may be positioned over or next to the corresponding one of communication connector jacks 110. Each numeral 1-25 may be applied to the back surface 400 via an adhesive label, ink printing, or another suitable technique.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a package assembly 500 according to an embodiment. The package assembly 500 is configured to be removably connected to, for example, a user's clothing. The package assembly 500 includes an enclosure 502 having a blister member 506 with a plurality of recesses (not labeled) formed therein. Each recess receives a corresponding communication connector jack 110. The enclosure 502 further includes a backing 508 that is attached to the blister member 506 to cover the communication connector jacks 110 and form a plurality of compartments (not labeled) with the recesses. The backing 508 and blister member 506 cooperate with each other to retain each communication connector jack 110 within a corresponding one of the recesses.

Still referring to FIG. 5, the enclosure 502 may further include a flange section 510 that projects a distance away from row 512 of the compartments. In the illustrated embodiment, the flange section 510 may include an attachment device 514 configured to allow attaching the package assembly 500 to, for example, a belt of an installer, a holder, or another suitable device or structure. For example, the attachment device 514 may be a loop that is inserted through a through hole 516 formed in the flange section 510 and secured to the flange section 510. A holder 526 including an extendable/retractable line 520 having a detent element 522 attached thereto may be provided. For example, the detent element 522 may comprise a body having a spherical portion configured to be interference fit with the attachment device 514. The extendable/retractable line 520 is extendable from and retractable into a holder 526 configured to house the extendable/retractable line 520. The detent element 522 may be removably attached to the attachment device 514.

During use, an installer may conveniently keep one of the package assemblies 500 attached to the holder 526. Respective communication connector jacks 110 may be removed from the enclosure 502 and installed by, for example, connecting electrical conductors to IDCs of the communication connector jacks 110. When all of the communication connector jacks 110 have been removed from one of the package assemblies 500, the spent enclosure 502 may be detached from the detent element 522 and a new package assembly 500 housing communication connector jacks 110 may attached to the detent element 522. Then, respective communication connector jacks 110 may be removed from the new enclosure 502 and installed.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view and FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of a package assembly 600 according to an embodiment. The package assembly 600 includes a housing 602, such as folded paper box or another suitable enclosure. The package assembly 600 further includes a coilable strip 604 of interconnected enclosure sections 606 received within the housing 602 and coiled about a shaft 608 that is affixed within the housing 602. Each enclosure section 606 may be generally configured from the same materials and design as the enclosure sections 300 shown in FIG. 3. For example, each enclosure section 606 may include a single recess formed in a blister member that forms a compartment with a backing and includes a corresponding communication connector jack 110 (FIG. 7) positioned therein. Adjacent enclosure sections 606 may be separated by, for example, perforation lines 612. In use, the coilable strip 604 may be manually advanced out of an opening 610 formed in the housing 602.

During use, a user may manually advance the coilable strip 604 out of the opening 610 formed in the housing 602. Respective communication connector jacks 110 (FIG. 7) may be removed from corresponding enclosure sections 606, as desired. Then, the respective communication connector jacks 110 (FIG. 7) may be installed.

Referring specifically to FIG. 6, in some embodiments, a back side of each enclosure section 606 may include an externally visible identifier (e.g., a number) that indicates the number of remaining enclosure sections 606 extending therefrom and into the housing 602. For example, the first enclosure section 606 has a numeral “95” positioned thereon to indicate that there are ninety-five remaining enclosure sections 606 with corresponding communication connector jacks 110 therein.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a package assembly 800 according to another embodiment. The package assembly 800 is similar in configuration to the package assembly 700 and differs, mainly, in that a coilable strip thereof may be two enclosure sections or more wide. The package assembly 800 includes a housing 802, such as folded paper box. The package assembly 800 further includes a coilable strip 804 of interconnected enclosure sections 806 received within the housing 802 and coiled about a shaft 808 that is affixed within the housing 802. Each enclosure section 806 may be generally configured from the same materials and design as the enclosure sections 300 shown in FIG. 3. For example, each enclosure section 806 may include a single recess formed in a blister member with a corresponding communication connector jack 110 positioned therein. The coilable strip 804 may include at least two strip sections 804 a and 804 b. Adjacent enclosure sections 806 may be separated by, for example, perforation lines 812 so that each enclosure section 806 may be manually torn from the coilable strip 804. In use, the coilable strip 804 may be manually advanced out of an opening 810 formed in the housing 802.

FIGS. 9 through 11 are isometric views of two different embodiments for package assemblies that employ clam-shell type enclosure configurations. Referring to FIG. 9, a package assembly 900 includes a shell member 902 having a plurality of recesses 904 formed therein. Although only some of the recesses 904 are shown populated with communication connector jacks 110 to reveal the recesses 904, each recess 904 may have one of the communication connector jacks 110 received therein. A backing 906 may be integrally formed with the shell member 902 and hingedly connected to the shell member 902 via a hinge 908 that may also be integrally formed with the shell member 902 and backing 906. The shell member 902 and backing 906 may be formed from a number of different polymeric materials, such as PVC, polyethylene, or another suitable polymeric material. For example, the shell member 902 and/or the backing 906 may be formed from a substantially transparent polymeric material. The hinge 908 is configured so that the shell member 902 and backing 906 may relatively rotate toward each other to enable covering the recesses 904 and any communication connector jacks 110 positioned in respective recesses 904. When the backing 906 is closed, the backing 906 and the shell member 902 define a plurality of compartments for retaining the communication connector jacks 110 therein.

The backing 906 may include one or more detent elements 910 (e.g., one or more projections) formed along an interior peripheral region 912 of the backing 906. The shell member 902 also includes one or more detent elements 914 (e.g., one or more recesses) formed therein and positioned along an interior peripheral region 916 thereof. The detent elements 914 are configured to snap fit with corresponding detent elements 910 of the backing 906 so that the backing 906 may be removably attached to the shell member 902 to retain a plurality of the communication connector jacks 110 therebetween.

In use, a user may de-couple the backing 906 from the shell member 902 by relatively rotating the shell member 902 and backing 906 away from each other. As desired, the user may remove one or more of the communication connector jacks 110 from corresponding recesses 904 and install the one or more removed communication connector jacks 110. Then, the user may couple the backing 906 to the shell member 902 to protect and enclose the communication connector jacks 110.

Referring to FIG. 10, a package assembly 1000 includes a first shell member 1002 having a first plurality of recesses 1004 formed therein. A second shell member 1006 may be integrally formed with the first shell member 1002 and hingedly connected to the first shell member 1002 via a hinge 1008 that is also integrally formed with the first shell member 1002 and second shell member 1006. The second shell member 1006 includes a second plurality of recesses 1009. The first shell member 1002 and second shell member 1006 may be formed from a number of different polymeric materials, such as PVC, polyethylene, or another suitable polymeric material. For example, the first shell member 1002 and/or the second shell member 1006 may be formed from a substantially transparent polymeric material.

Referring also to FIG. 11, the hinge 1008 is configured so that the first and second shell members 1002 and 1006 may relatively rotate toward each other to enable covering respective communication connector jacks 110 received in the recesses 1004 of the first shell member 1002 and the recesses 1009 of the second shell member 1006. When the first shell member 1002 and second shell member 1006 are mated, the communication connector jacks 110 may be retained between the first and second shell members 1002 and 1006. Although only some of the recesses 1004 and 1009 are shown populated with communication connector jacks 110 in FIG. 10 to reveal the recesses 1004 and 1009, each recess 1004 and 1009 may have one of the communication connector jacks 110 received therein. When the first and second shell members 1002 and 1006 are folded together to define an enclosure, the enclosure may be inserted into an optional housing 1011.

Referring to FIG. 10, the first shell member 1002 may include one or more detent elements 1018, such as one or more projections, formed along an interior peripheral region 1012 of the first shell member 1002. The second shell member 1006 also includes one or more detent elements 1014 (e.g., one or more recesses) formed therein and positioned along an interior peripheral region 1016 thereof. The detent elements 1014 are configured to snap fit with corresponding detent elements 1018 (e.g., one or more projections) of the first shell member 1002 so that the second shell member 1006 may be removably attached to the first shell member 1002 to retain a plurality of communication connector jacks therebetween.

In use, a user may de-couple the second shell member 1006 from the first shell member 1002 by relatively rotating the second shell member 1006 away from the first shell member 1002. As desired, the user may remove one or more of the communication connector jacks 110 from corresponding recesses 1004 and/or 1009. Then, the user may couple the second shell member 1006 to the first shell member 1002 to protect and enclose the communication connector jacks 110.

While various aspects and embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. 

1. A package assembly, comprising: an enclosure defining a plurality of compartments; and a plurality of communication connector jacks, each communication connector jack positioned in a corresponding one of the compartments.
 2. The package assembly of claim 1 wherein the enclosure comprises: a blister member defining a plurality of recesses, each communication connector jack positioned in a corresponding one of the recesses; and a backing bonded to the blister member to close each recess and form the plurality of compartments with the blister member.
 3. The package assembly of claim 2 wherein the backing comprises a blister card or a foil backing.
 4. The package assembly of claim 2 wherein the backing comprises a plurality of externally visible sequential numerals positioned thereon, each externally visible sequential numeral positioned adjacent to a corresponding one of the recesses.
 5. The package assembly of claim 1 wherein the enclosure comprises a flange section having at least one hole formed therein.
 6. The package assembly of claim 1 wherein each communication connector jack is oriented in a corresponding one of the compartments in the same selected orientation and dimensioned relative to the compartment to inhibit changing the selected orientation.
 7. The package assembly of claim 1 wherein the enclosure comprises a plurality of enclosure sections, each enclosure section including a corresponding one of the compartments and separated from at least one adjacent one of the enclosure sections by a perforation line.
 8. The package assembly of claim 1 wherein the enclosure comprises a plurality of enclosure sections interconnected with each other to form a coilable strip, each enclosure section including a corresponding one of the compartments.
 9. The package assembly of claim 8, further comprising a housing that holds a shaft around which the coilable strip is coiled and includes an opening through which the coilable strip can be manually advanced therethrough.
 10. The package assembly of claim 9 wherein each enclosure section comprises an externally visible identifier positioned thereon that indicates a number of remaining ones of the enclosure sections extending therefrom into the housing.
 11. The package assembly of claim 1 wherein the enclosure comprises a visible identifier positioned on an exterior thereof that indicates the number of the communication connector jacks.
 12. The package assembly of claim 1 wherein the enclosure comprises a visible identifier positioned on an exterior thereof that indicates the configuration of the plurality of communication connector jacks.
 13. The package assembly of claim 1, further comprising a housing receiving the enclosure.
 14. The package assembly of claim 13 wherein the housing comprises a visible identifier positioned on an exterior thereof that indicates at least one of the following: the number of the communication connector jacks and a configuration of the plurality of communication connector jacks.
 15. The package assembly of claim 1 wherein each communication connector jack is an electrical connector jack or an optical connector jack.
 16. The package assembly of claim 1 wherein the enclosure comprises: a shell member including a plurality of recesses formed therein; and a backing removably attached to the shell member to close each recess and form the plurality of compartments.
 17. The package assembly of claim 1 wherein the enclosure comprises: a first shell member defining a plurality of first recesses each of which receives a corresponding one of the communication connector jacks; and a second shell member hingedly connected to the first shell member and defining a plurality of second recesses each of which receives a corresponding one of the communication connector jacks.
 18. A method, comprising: removing at least one of a plurality of communication connector jacks from an enclosure housing each communication connector jack in a corresponding compartment; and installing the at least one communication connector jack.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein removing at least one of a plurality of communication connector jacks from an enclosure housing each communication connector jack in a corresponding compartment comprises pressing the at least one communication connector jack through a backing that forms part of the enclosure.
 20. The method of claim 18 wherein removing at least one of a plurality of communication connector jacks from an enclosure housing each communication connector jack in a corresponding compartment comprises relatively rotating a backing away from a shell member to provide access to the at least one communication connector jack.
 21. The method of claim 18 wherein removing at least one of a plurality of communication connector jacks from an enclosure housing each communication connector jack in a corresponding compartment comprises relatively rotating a first shell member away from a second shell member to provide access to the at least one communication connector jack.
 22. The method of claim 18: wherein the enclosure defines a coilable strip and is housed by a housing; and further comprising advancing the coilable strip out of the housing prior to or after the act of removing at least one of a plurality of communication connector jacks from an enclosure.
 23. The method of claim 18 wherein each communication connector jack is oriented in a corresponding one of the compartments in substantially the same selected orientation. 